Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer | Telecom Marketing Content Writer

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Archives for November 2018

Things to Outsource in Your Small Business

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After you’ve been running your business for a while, you might find you have less and less time to complete all the jobs that you ideally want to get done. If you’re making enough money or have a service, you can swap for another service you might like to consider outsourcing some of the jobs that you find eat into the time that you can spend on the business. Let’s take a look at some places where you will get the biggest bang for your buck.

Virtual assistants are amazing organization wizards. Anything that you think you don’t have time for they are masters at. If you manage to hire a good one, you will find that it is more like having two of yourself working within the business to tackle the general running and even some extra things on top. Some of the things that they can manage are:

1. Social media management
2. Emails
3. Research
4. Data input
5. Travel booking and arranging

When it comes to customer service, you might find that over time you don’t actually have time to handle everything yourself, and it won’t really fall into the hands of your virtual assistant either. You’re going to want to outsource to a specialist in online computers and communications, they are, after all, trained to do this. When it comes to customer service, you need to have the highest standard you can afford.

Accounting, it is one of those things that many can manage in the first few years. The outgoings and income aren’t too hard to maintain and keep track of. As you grow, there will be more things that you can expense and other areas that a qualified accountant can help you with. They aren’t particularly expensive, and what they can save you each year in taxes they are more than worth their weight in gold.

Business Outsourcing

While your amazing virtual assistant can, of course, do a large portion of the sales and marketing using your social media channels, it is in your best interest to either get hands-on and learn to do it yourself – or hire a freelancer who specialises in social media for a company of your size or in your sector. You can use sites like Upwork, People Per Hour or Fiverr to find someone capable and well within your budget. If you’d like to manage the platforms that they use and the access they would have to those platforms, then you’re going to be looking for a combination of LastPass and Buffer, Social Oomph or Hootsuite. This will allow them access to all of your accounts without having the passwords.

Lighten your load when it comes to data and ‘outsource’ as much as you can into a cloud network. The cloud will mean that you never have to work in one place, and nor do any of the people that you choose to hire.

When it comes to running your business, you want to give yourself as much time as you can to work on it and not in it. Getting bogged down with things that eat into your time should be viewed as money which you could have earned.

Delegate Like A Millionaire Business Mogul

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Delegate like a millionaireSome entrepreneurs get into the habit of doing everything themselves. They work eighty hour weeks and want to have a say in everything that happens in their company. But this isn’t business freedom. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Effective Delegation

You didn’t start your business so that you could spend your Friday nights and weekends doing the grunt work. You started it because you wanted to create a better life for yourself. But something went wrong: when your business got to the size where you could take on more people, you found it hard to let go, and now you find yourself performing all the tasks which, in all honesty, should be done by others. This is not a good situation to find oneself.

All millionaire entrepreneurs know that to make a lot of money – and to have a great lifestyle – you need to delegate. You need to find tasks for others so that you can focus on the things that have the highest value to you and your business. So how do you delegate like a millionaire business mogul?

Create An Obligation

Letting go of control can be difficult. But you’d be surprised just how committed your people can be when you create obligations. Obligations, or duties, are a kind of moral imperative. Make it clear to your subordinates that they have to perform their functions for the good of the company and that their actions have a measurable impact on company performance. Employees who understand the importance of their roles are much more likely to perform tasks to a high standard than those who think that they are just another cog in the machine.

Automate HR

Successful business leaders know that there are a lot of administrative tasks that go into employing people. Laws, holidays, and special requirements all take time to process. But millionaire business moguls aren’t interested in the nuts and bolts of all that clerical work, and so they look for ways to automate the process to make delegation easier. Use a payroll management system to take a lot of the administrative burden out of employing people so that you’re freer to use people the way you want to.

Give Authority

Employing people is a great way to leverage your organisation’s impact, but it’s not sufficient for delegation. Delegation also requires the transfer of authority – permission for staff to operate independently of you and make their own decisions. Again, this can be difficult for some entrepreneurs, but top moguls see the situation differently. They have an abiding belief that more brains are better than fewer brains, and that the experts they employ to various roles will probably have better insight than they do. In short, they can make better decisions.

Allow Employees To Reject Assignments

It might seem strange, but part of successful delegation is being open to the idea that an employee might reject an assignment. Forced delegation is almost as bad as not delegating at all because it can undermine your overall strategy. When staff can’t perform a task, then your faith in delegation is shaken. Look for alternatives where possible.

Designing Your Career: How to Become an Architect

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Architect CareerIf you want a successful career and you love home design, architecture might be the path for you. Here are the basics of how to become an architect.

Have you always been fascinated by the structure of buildings?

Do you dream of a career that mixes the creativity of design with the structure of math? Architecture might be the career for you.

This article will teach you how to become an architect. Pretty soon, your city’s skyline could be etched with your designs.

1. Do Your Research

Before diving headfirst into a career in architecture, be certain it’s what you want.

Becoming an architect can take up to 6 years. Don’t decide to pursue this career on a whim. Instead, check out books in your local library about architecture to find out if you’re truly interested.

It’s also a good idea to audit a class in architecture at your local university or community college. Decide whether you want a career in residential or commercial architecture.

2. Get a Bachelor’s Degree

If you want to become an architect, you’ll need an accredited degree in architecture. These programs typically take 5 years to complete, which is no small feat.

Your degree should be accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

3. Take on an Internship

After you earn your degree you’ll need to take an internship in architecture.

This internship will give you first-hand experience of the field you’re about to enter. It’s a great networking opportunity as well. Many internships will turn into full-time positions if you make a good impression on your supervisors.

Be sure to show up on time every day of your internship. Ask questions and be attentive to show your supervisors you’re very interested in the field.

4. Pass the Test

After completing your bachelor’s degree and your internship, you’ll need to pass the Architect Registration Examination.

This exam is a seven-part pass or fail test.

You’ll take this test in the state you plan to practice architecture in. Keep in mind that each state may have different requirements to become a licensed architect.

It’s a good idea to figure out where you want to live before you take on an internship. The connections you make during an internship may enable you to find an architect job.

5. Get a Masters

While not a requirement, a Masters degree will open up more opportunities to you as an architect. More jobs will become available to you and at a higher pay scale.

If you want to open your own firm, consider a dual degree in architecture and business.

Now You Know How to Become an Architect

You now have all the knowledge you need on how to become an architect.

The ball is in your court, or rather the pen is in your hand, on what you do with the information.

Remember to do plenty of your own research to be sure architecture is the path you want to go down. It can be a very rewarding and lucrative profession once you pass all the tests.

Have questions for us? Want to contact us for any reason? Please do so here.

Cannot Find a Job? Here Are 4 Ways to Survive While Job Hunting

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Job HuntingCannot find a job? Knowing how to survive financially is a challenge. But you have options. Here are 4 tips for achieving financial health while job hunting.

The U.S. unemployment rate has been hovering around 4% for close to a year.

This unemployment rate is a 49-year low and means that there are 6.08 million people without jobs in the United States.

Though it is not uncommon, life is difficult when you have no job. Read on about what you can do when you cannot find a job and need money.

Apply for Government Assistance

One of the hardest times in life is when have to say to yourself “I can’t find a job and I need money.”

It’s not easy to be in that situation but you are not alone. One of the first things you can do when you have no job and no money is to apply for help from the government.

There are many programs out there available to you to help pay for your rent or groceries while you are unemployed.

Take some time to research what is available to you in your city and state. Use the U.S. government’s benefits finder to help you find out what help is available to you.

For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is available to low-income individuals who need help paying for groceries.

You may also qualify for unemployment benefits which will give you some income until you start working again. When you were working, you paid into this unemployment benefit. So don’t be ashamed of taking advantage of it when you need it.  

Contact Credit Card Companies When You Cannot Find a Job

If you have any outstanding balance on a credit card or other loan, contact your provider right away.

Let them know that you cannot find a job and that you are struggling financially. Most credit card companies have options for people are unable to pay their full, monthly bill.

Contact these lenders right away to avoid paying late fees or defaulting on a loan. Call and ask about your options. Explain that you don’t want to default but can’t pay the balance at this time.

Sometimes companies will waive or lower the minimum payments or freeze the interest.  

Cut Your Expenses

When you have no income or have to live on a smaller income, the most important thing to do is to cut your expenses as much as possible.

Look at your recent expenses and sort them into essential and non-essential items. Food and rent are essential. Gym memberships, eating out, and subscriptions to magazines or TV providers are all non-essential.

Remember that you are just cutting out things that you can go without for now. When your financial situation improves, you might be able to afford non-essential expenses.

Consider canceling your internet. Many places like public libraries and internet cafes have public computers you can use for free.

Your cell phone may or may not be essential. You may be able to switch to another provider that is less expensive. Especially if you opt for a plan with no data.

Make sure you read all the fine print before you switch providers. Sometimes the low rate is just an introductory price and will go up after a couple of months. Or the service may not be great with certain providers.

Shop around for the best option before you make a switch. In most cases, you can keep the same phone number.

Sell Items You Don’t Need

It may seem harsh but selling items you don’t need could help keep you in the black.

One surefire way to get the cash you need is to sell a car. Especially if you live in a suburban area where you can take public transit or bike to get to places.

Plus, you won’t have to pay insurance on the car. And you will save on fuel and maintenance costs.

Consider holding a garage sale to get rid of items you don’t need. Or look around your home for antiques or collectables that might be worth money at pawn shops.

If you have a particular hobby that you are skilled at, consider selling your handiwork or teaching workshops.

You might not get rich doing it, but then again, you might find that you are successful and start your own business.

If you are really strapped for cash consider looking for payday loans online, no credit check, instant approval sites. It may be enough to get you through.

Consider a Survival Job

While you are looking for a career job, it may be worth taking a survival job in the meantime.

Yes, you will likely make minimum wage but it will give you some income to support yourself.

Perhaps a job that has flexible hours or shifts over the weekend is what you need. It can give you money while still giving you time during the week to look for a better job.

Don’t be discouraged about being in a dead-end job.

Even fast-food jobs can provide you with soft skills that are valuable in any industry. You will hone your teamwork, efficiency and customer service skills.

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide on what to do when you cannot find a job has given you hope and practical advice.

Unemployment can be a temporary state. Take this time to update your skill set and update your resume. You could consider volunteering to add valuable work experience to your resume.

Visit my website to get my free resume secret report that will show you how to land interviews.

Staying Connected With Customers, Clients And Employees Like A Boss

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Staying Connected

You’re in charge, which means you have a million and one things to do on a given day. There are meetings with clients, reviews of content and recruitment interviews to take care of before you think about going home. Time is precious and you don’t have much of it.

So, when it comes to connecting with people, it’s easy to pass it off as unimportant. There are plenty of mediums and platforms for them to try – they don’t need you. Anyway, it can probably wait until the morning when you’re in the office. The truth is it can’t because of the culture. Customers, clients and even employees expect to deal with an issue as soon as possible, and when they can’t, they bounce.

Staying connected around the board is essential yet tough as there aren’t enough hours in a day. Thankfully, the good news is you can make the most out of your limited interactions and here’s how.

Stay In The Office

Employees can’t walk outside and start doing their own thing while they’re the clock. If they did and you found out, there would be repercussions for sure. This is important to keep in mind when you are desperate to get out of the office. Yes, the Starbucks on the corner will offer some relief but it might come at a cost.

When they or a client or customer has a problem, your workers won’t know how to get in touch. Sure, everybody has a phone yet subordinates are wary of messaging their boss when the subject isn’t pressing. However, the same doesn’t apply if you’re in the workplace.

Most employees will walk up, knock on the door and ask for a minute. Working from behind a desk isn’t great but it’s a necessity if you want to keep your finger on the pulse.

Tell Them Where You'll Be

Tell Them Where You’ll Be And When

Okay, you have to leave because there is a meeting scheduled. Plus, your brain might explode if you don’t get out now. Sometimes, there is no way around cutting out for a couple of hours even with the help of Skype conferences. Bosses that want stay connected should never exit stage left without forwarding their details first.

The things you need to write down and pass on to the relevant people are your cell number, your social media accounts, and the times you’re unavailable. Also, make sure somebody knows who to get in touch with if they can’t contact you and need to desperately. The news might not be fresh, but at least you’ll hear it at the earliest possible time and will be able to react.

Bosses that wait until they get back into the office are behind the eight ball because they’ve wasted time. As a last resort, leave your partner’s number. Usually, people pick up a call from their loved ones over their employees.

Sync Your Devices

Once upon a time, you could only receive messages dependant on the device in your hand. For example, smartphones didn’t get email alerts. You needed a desktop or a laptop. That has all changed now and there aren’t many forms of communication you can’t see via a mobile device. With that in mind, ensure everything from email accounts to social media apps are downloaded onto your cell.

Another cool trick is to have any message come straight to your phone or tablet. Imagine a client or customer doesn’t have your cell number but has your email address and can’t get through due to a lack internet connection. The right business communication software will allow them to send an email which will land on your phone as an SMS.

All you need is a phone signal and everyone will be able to contact you regardless of the mode of communication.

Speak To The Connectors

Connectors are people that others turn to for help and advice. They have the ear of everybody in the office and can disseminate information at will. All it takes is the right message and they’ll spread it like wildlife.

With these people by your side, you’ll be able to connect with the entire office by communicating with a handful of people. As far as timesavers go, this is up there as one of the best. Ask your managers which employees are the go-to-guys and girls and seek them out.

That way, you’ll never be out of the loop.

As long as you have the correct software and the ear of the people, you should always be one step ahead.

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